Is there Filipino Philosophy? Explain.

Is there any Filipino philosophy? Yes, there is. Yet, there are no Filipino philosophers –
philosophers in Western standard. Fr. Leonardo Mercado is one of the Filipino scholars who
pioneered in tackling the question, “Is there any Filipino philosophy?” In asking the question,
two important implications are in mind: that philosophy does not originate in Philippine culture,
and that philosophy refers to any system of thought established by rational demonstration.

Etymologically, philosophy is derived from two Greek words, philo and sophia, meaning love
of wisdom. Clearly, philosophy is something foreign to Filipinos. Yet, the love of wisdom is
universally true –that is, one is capable to “lovingly search” for wisdom, whether he/she is a
Greek, or a Japanese, or a Filipino. No one is deprived of doing philosophy (as love of wisdom)
regardless of race or the color of one’s skin. Thus, it seems that Filipino culture is not devoid of
any philosophical venture or aspiration. Every Filipino is a philosopher in his own right.

However, in the history of the Philippines, it’s difficult to point out who among the Filipino
thinkers are philosophers –philosophers in Western standard. Of course, we cannot discredit
Rizal’s genius and his two major novels. Yet, to claim that Rizal is a philosopher is still a matter
of long debate.

What is really distinct among Western philosophers is that many of them are able to
build elaborate systems of thought. Plato, for example, is able to build a tower of philosophical
ideas by single-handedly laying its foundation in his theory of ideal form. With his theory of
ideal form, Plato is able to differentiate knowledge from opinion. He is able to distinguish the
real world and the fake one. He is able to identify the source of true knowledge and the
fountain of what is considered good. He is able to understand the nature of man, his origin and
purpose. He is able to define the ideal society and its ideal leader. All in all, it’s a Platonic
system of thought. It’s one of a kind.
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Submitted by:
John Matthew T. Fajardo
3A1-1BSCS